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Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, with upper-limb impairment representing a major determinant of functional limitation and reduced independence. Conventional rehabilitation approaches are often limited by accessibility, intensity, and long-term adherence, highlighting the need for innovative, home-based solutions.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized robotic telerehabilitation program for upper-limb recovery in individuals with post-stroke motor impairment. The intervention combines a wearable robotic device with a virtual reality-based platform, enabling patients to perform structured, task-oriented exercises in a home environment under remote supervision.
Participants will be allocated to either a robotic-assisted telerehabilitation program or a control condition based on virtual reality-based rehabilitation alone. Motor recovery will be assessed using standardized clinical scales, including the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), along with measures of functional performance, patient-reported outcomes, and treatment adherence.
By integrating robotic assistance with telemedicine, this study seeks to enhance rehabilitation intensity, improve patient engagement, and facilitate continuity of care beyond traditional clinical settings. The results are expected to support the development of accessible, personalized rehabilitation pathways for individuals with stroke-related upper-limb disability.
This multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized telerehabilitation protocol integrating a wearable robotic device with a virtual reality (VR)-based platform in individuals with post-stroke upper-limb impairment.
Stroke-related upper-limb dysfunction significantly affects daily activities, social participation, and quality of life. According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), participation is a key outcome; however, upper-limb disability represents a major barrier to inclusion.
Robotic rehabilitation and advanced technologies have demonstrated clinical effectiveness in improving motor function. However, their use is mainly limited to specialized centers. Home-based telerehabilitation enables continuity of care, enhances treatment intensity, and supports long-term recovery, while reducing the need for in-person sessions.
The intervention combines:
a wearable robotic device (EMOVO), a virtual reality telerehabilitation platform (VRRS Home Kit).
Participants will undergo a structured 4-week rehabilitation program consisting of daily 60-minute sessions administered at home and remotely supervised by rehabilitation professionals.
Participants will be randomized into:
an experimental group receiving robotic-assisted telerehabilitation, a control group receiving VR-based telerehabilitation alone.
The study will evaluate motor recovery, functional performance, patient-reported outcomes, treatment adherence, user satisfaction, and safety.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robotic-Assisted Telerehabilitation for Upper Limb Recovery | Experimental | Participants assigned to this arm will receive a home-based telerehabilitation program supported by a wearable robotic device integrated with a virtual reality-based rehabilitation platform. The intervention consists of daily 60-minute sessions over a 4-week period and includes passive and active-assisted upper-limb mobilization, grasping and releasing exercises, task-oriented activities, and interactive exergaming exercises. All sessions will be remotely supervised by a physiotherapist, with individualized adjustments based on participant performance and progression. |
|
| Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation Without Robotic Support | Active Comparator | Participants assigned to this arm will receive a home-based telerehabilitation program delivered through a virtual reality-based rehabilitation platform. The intervention consists of daily 60-minute sessions over a 4-week period and includes upper-limb mobilization exercises, task-oriented training, and interactive exergaming activities. All sessions will be remotely supervised by a physiotherapist to ensure correct execution and adherence to the rehabilitation protocol. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robotic-Assisted Telerehabilitation Virtual Reality-Based Telerehabilitation | Device | Experimental: Robotic-Assisted Telerehabilitation for Upper Limb Recovery Arm Description: Participants assigned to the experimental group will receive a home-based telerehabilitation program supported by a wearable robotic device integrated with a virtual reality-based rehabilitation platform. The intervention consists of daily 60-minute sessions over a 4-week period, including passive and active-assisted upper-limb mobilization, task-oriented exercises, and exergaming activities, with remote supervision by a physiotherapist. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in upper-limb motor function assessed by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) | The primary outcome is the change in upper-limb motor function measured using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), comparing baseline (pre-intervention) and post-treatment values. The FMA-UE is a validated, stroke-specific scale that evaluates motor recovery and functional impairment of the upper limb. | Baseline to 4 weeks |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Box and Block Test (BBT) | Assessment of manual dexterity and upper-limb functional performance using the Box and Block Test. | Baseline to 4 weeks |
| Functional independence | Barthel Index (BI): Assessment of functional independence in activities of daily living using the Barthel Index. The Barthel Index is a standardized scale ranging from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate greater functional independence. |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARCO PAOLETTA, Researcher | Contact | +393922123028 | marco.paoletta@unicampania.it |
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| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21571152 | Background | Langhorne P, Bernhardt J, Kwakkel G. Stroke rehabilitation. Lancet. 2011 May 14;377(9778):1693-702. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60325-5. | |
| 40335470 | Background | GBD 2019 Acute and Chronic Care Collaborators. Characterising acute and chronic care needs: insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Nat Commun. 2025 May 7;16(1):4235. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56910-x. |
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Individual participant data underlying the results will be shared with researchers upon reasonable request, following publication of the study results. Data will be de-identified in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.
Starting 6 months after publication of the primary results; ending 5 years after publication.
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Participants will be randomized to either robotic-assisted telerehabilitation or virtual reality-based telerehabilitation alone in a parallel-group design. Both interventions will be delivered in a home-based setting with remote supervision over 4 weeks to compare their effects on upper-limb recovery after stroke.
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This study is designed as an open-label trial with no masking. Due to the nature of the interventions, participants and study personnel (including therapists and investigators) cannot be blinded to group allocation.
Participants in the experimental group will use a wearable robotic device integrated with a virtual reality-based telerehabilitation platform, while participants in the control group will receive virtual reality-based telerehabilitation alone. The clear differences between interventions make blinding unfeasible.
Outcome assessments will be based on standardized clinical scales and objective measures to minimize potential assessment bias.
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| Virtual reality-based rehabilitation platform without robotic assistance | Other | Active Comparator: Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation Without Robotic Support Arm Description: Participants assigned to the control group will receive a home-based telerehabilitation program delivered through a virtual reality-based rehabilitation platform. The intervention consists of daily 60-minute sessions over a 4-week period, including upper-limb mobilization exercises, task-oriented training, and interactive exergaming activities. All sessions will be remotely supervised by a physiotherapist to ensure correct execution and adherence to the protocol. |
|
| Baseline to 4 weeks |
| Pain intensity and interference | Brief Pain Inventory (BPI): Assessment of pain severity and pain-related interference with daily activities using the Brief Pain Inventory. The BPI is a standardized scale with scores ranging from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate greater pain intensity and greater interference with daily activities. | Baseline to 4 weeks |
| Stroke-related quality of life | Stroke Impact Scale (SIS): Evaluation of stroke-related quality of life across physical, emotional, and social domains using the Stroke Impact Scale. The SIS is a standardized patient-reported outcome measure with domain scores ranging from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better quality of life and functional status. | Baseline to 4 weeks |
| Muscle strength | Handgrip Strength Test (HST): Measurement of upper-limb muscle strength using handgrip dynamometry. | Baseline to 4 weeks |
| Patient satisfaction | Assessment of user satisfaction with assistive technology and system integration using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0). The QUEST 2.0 is a standardized questionnaire with item scores ranging from 1 to 5, where higher scores indicate greater user satisfaction. Clinically meaningful satisfaction is defined as a mean score ≥4. | 4 weeks |
| Usability | System Usability Scale (SUS): Evaluation of system usability. A score ≥70 will be considered indicative of acceptable usability. | 4 weeks |
| Safety and tolerability | Incidence of adverse events: Assessment of safety based on the number and severity of adverse events related to the intervention | Throughout study (up to 4 weeks) |
| Treatment adherence and discontinuation | Drop-out rate: Proportion of participants who discontinue the intervention before completion. | 4 weeks |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D020521 | Stroke |
| D010291 | Paresis |
| D006429 | Hemiplegia |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D002561 | Cerebrovascular Disorders |
| D001927 | Brain Diseases |
| D002493 | Central Nervous System Diseases |
| D009422 | Nervous System Diseases |
| D014652 | Vascular Diseases |
| D002318 | Cardiovascular Diseases |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D010243 | Paralysis |
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